JPH0738982A - Loudspeaker device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate a power cord, to dispense with a battery that is used for the internal circuit of a loudspeaker and to fix the speaker at a desired position by preparing a connector which is electrically and physically connected to a distribution track, a sensor which receives the radio signals and a circuit which processes the radio signals and drives the speaker. CONSTITUTION: A loudspeaker unit 20 is connected to a distribution track 30 via a connector 40. The track 30 has the electric conductors 31 and 32 on the inner surfaces of its flanges 33 and 34, and these conductors 31 and 32 are connected to a standard household AC power supply via an electric wire 35. The connector 40 has the electric contacts 41 and 42 on the lower surfaces of its flanges 43 and 44. The track 30 is attached to the unit 20 in the same way as the attachment of a known track illuminator. Furthermore, the unit 20 includes a radio signal sensor 22, a conversion processing circuit, a voice amplifier and a loudspeaker 28.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a loudspeaker device,
In particular, it relates to high fidelity (high fidelity) audio loudspeaker systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an internal amplification type high-fidelity audio loudspeaker device in which a loudspeaker unit is mounted and supported (fixed) at a desired position by a distribution track (rail).
The power required to operate the internal circuitry of the loudspeaker unit is supplied via the distribution track.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional hi-fi audio loudspeakers often require long wires to connect to the output of an audio amplifier. Once connected to the audio amplifier, the loudspeaker can only be moved from the audio amplifier to the extent allowed by the wire length. There is generally some effort to hide these wires in some way to prevent them from being visible from the outside. This is done, for example, by wiring through existing walls and ceilings of structures. Also, conventional loudspeakers have the drawback that physical characteristics of the loudspeaker, such as size, constrain the placement of the loudspeaker where the best sound is heard in the listening area.

For example, in a high-fidelity audio system with enhanced spatial sound field characteristics, so-called "surround sound", the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional loudspeakers appear. In these types of voice systems,
Loudspeakers or "surround" speakers are generally placed in a position facing the rear of the listening area, almost opposite to the main loudspeaker facing the front of the listening area.
This is because it is placed almost behind the audience. These "surround" speakers act to add audio information to the listening area and to work with the main audio loudspeaker to give the listener an enhanced listening sensation. Once it is determined where to place both the main and surround loudspeakers, wires are used to connect these loudspeakers to the output of the audio amplifier. In order to avoid the ugliness of these wires being clearly visible, one generally has to take measures to hide them. For existing structures, the wires will be pulled through the existing walls and ceiling. This is very inconvenient and expensive. Furthermore, the physical properties of the loudspeakers place a great deal of constraints on their placement without disturbing the listening area of these loudspeakers.

One way to overcome the above drawbacks of conventional voice loudspeakers has been to use "wireless" loudspeakers. With wireless loudspeakers, it is not necessary to use wires to connect it to the output of the audio amplifier. In existing wireless loudspeaker systems, the audio output of an audio amplifier is usually converted into a radio signal of infrared or radio frequency, and this radio signal is transmitted by a radio transmitter to a radio loudspeaker located at a position remote from the audio amplifier and the radio transmitter. Sending to speaker unit. The wireless loudspeaker unit receives a wireless signal via a sensor or receiver that is responsive to the transmitted wireless signal, internally processes and amplifies the signal, and then the loudspeaker listens to the output of the audio amplifier. Generate an output signal. The internal circuitry of a wireless loudspeaker unit is generally powered by batteries contained within the unit. However, an AC / DC power adapter or converter may be used to connect an external power source to the wireless loudspeaker unit via a connector.

Examples of existing wireless loudspeaker systems include Sony model IFS-50K and model IFS-2.
There is a 0K infrared cordless stereo speaker system. These wireless loudspeaker systems include two internally amplified remote loudspeaker units with voice and infrared modulators, infrared radiators and infrared sensors or receivers. The audio / infrared modulator is connected to the output of the audio amplifier. The audio signal output from the audio amplifier is converted by the audio / infrared modulator and transmitted by the infrared radiator to the remote loudspeaker unit as an infrared signal according to the output of the audio amplifier. An infrared sensor on each of the remote loudspeaker units receives an infrared signal transmitted from an infrared radiator. The remote loudspeaker unit then internally converts the infrared signal back to an audio signal and amplifies it to a level sufficient to drive the loudspeaker diaphragm and produce an audible output.

Other types of existing wireless loudspeaker systems include the Recoton model W200 wireless speaker system and the Radio Shack.
ck) Model 40-1360 amplified stereo wireless speaker system and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,829,570 and 4,847.
There is a loudspeaker device disclosed in No. 903. In these speaker devices, the output of the audio amplifier is converted to an FM signal, which is sent to the remote wireless speaker unit via standard home AC wiring. In this type of wireless loudspeaker system, the wireless loudspeaker unit is electrically connected to a standard home AC power outlet. The loudspeaker unit contains circuitry for detecting, processing and amplifying an audio signal from an AC power line to drive a diaphragm of the loudspeaker and generate an audible output according to the output signal of the audio amplifier. . Installation of this type of wireless loudspeaker unit is limited to the location sufficiently close to the AC power outlet to connect the loudspeaker unit. Yet another type of wireless loudspeaker is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,590,382.

A drawback of wireless loudspeakers of the type described above is the use of unfriendly power cords. Also, the battery used for powering the internal circuit of a wireless speaker device such as the Sony model IFS-50K has a relatively long life, but it must be replaced every time the battery runs out. Periodic battery replacement is inconvenient and costly. The placement of these loudspeakers where the best sound is heard in the listening area is constrained by the physical size and characteristics of the loudspeakers.

Power distribution trucks are widely known and are commonly used in lighting devices, such as what is known as "track lighting." An example of this type of illuminator is the LYTESPAN TRAC system.
K SYSTEM). The distribution trucks used in these types of lighting devices are generally mounted on fixed structures such as walls and ceilings, and are similar to normal lighting fixtures.
Connected to C power supply. Power distribution tracks often have electrical conductors that are parallel to each other on either side of a longitudinally extending central channel and electrically connected to an AC power source.
Another example of a power distribution truck used in various commercial, industrial and consumer equipment is US Pat. No. 3,596,2.
26, 3246074 and 3295093.

Track illuminators often have connectors or fasteners used to attach luminaires to power distribution trucks. These connectors or fasteners typically provide physical or mechanical engagement of the luminaire to the distribution truck. These connectors also typically include electrical contacts that physically and electrically engage electrical conductors deep in the distribution track. AC power is supplied to the track luminaire by connecting between the electrical contacts of the connector and the electrical conductors of the distribution truck. In many track luminaires, the connector of the luminaire is inserted into the central passage, such as the groove of the distribution track, and rotated to connect the luminaire to the distribution track and connect the electrical contacts of the connector to the distribution track. It is in physical contact with the electrical conductor in the back. Thus, power source power is provided to the electric track luminaire. Once the track luminaire is connected to the distribution track, it remains supported and held in the desired operating position. Therefore, according to the track lighting device,
The wires are not exposed and there is the flexibility of being able to position the luminaire in the desired position along the length of the distribution track (rail), thus providing the advantage of fixing the luminaire in the desired operating position.

US Pat. No. 3,911,221 describes a speaker support device. This patent, however, does not disclose anything about connecting a wireless loudspeaker to a distribution truck to support it at a desired location, and thus the internal circuitry of the loudspeaker being powered through the distribution truck. .

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to incorporate the advantages of power distribution trucks, such as those conventionally used in known track lighting systems, into wireless hi-fi audio loudspeaker systems.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to eliminate the dull power cords required by conventional hi-fi wireless loudspeaker systems. Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the battery commonly used as a power source for the internal circuit of a wireless loudspeaker device. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for supporting a wireless loudspeaker in a desired operating position where a desired sound can be heard in the listening area.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A wireless loudspeaker system according to the present invention comprises a wireless loudspeaker unit and a power distribution track, the wireless loudspeaker unit electrically and physically engaging the power distribution track. Connector or fastener (attachment). A wireless loudspeaker unit according to the present invention includes a sensor for receiving a wireless signal and circuitry for processing the wireless signal to drive the loudspeaker, thereby producing an audio output according to the received wireless signal.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a usage state of the device according to the present invention. To facilitate the understanding of the advantages of the present invention, a high fidelity audio loudspeaker arrangement for use in a high fidelity audio system will be described herein. The present invention is not limited to use in such voice systems, but is applicable to various consumer, commercial and industrial voice systems and loudspeakers and intercoms.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a loudspeaker device of the present invention, 11 is an audio amplifier, 12 is an infrared modulator, and 13
Indicates an infrared transmitter. The audio output of the audio amplifier 11 is fed to an infrared modulator 12, where the audio signal is processed and converted into an infrared signal, which is transmitted via an infrared radiator 13 to a loudspeaker unit 20. The loudspeaker unit 20 receives the infrared signal, internally processes it, amplifies the received infrared signal to drive the loudspeaker diaphragm, and outputs the audio output according to the output signal of the audio amplifier 11 toward the listening area. Occur. The audio amplifier 11 may be, for example, a stereo receiver, and the audio signal is generated from a source such as a CD player, a radio tuner, a tape deck, a DAT device, a television tuner or an electric storage. In the example of FIG. 1, the audio signal may be modified to use a radio frequency signal to transmit to the loudspeaker unit 20. 1 is a distribution truck, the details of which will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows a device according to the invention (10 in FIG. 1).
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of FIG. The loudspeaker unit 20 has a connector (connector) 40.
Is connected to the power distribution truck 30 via. The power distribution truck 30 has electrical conductors 31 and 32 on the inner surfaces of the truck flanges (outlets) 33 and 34, which conductors are
It is electrically connected to a standard home AC power source via wire 35.
The connector 40 has electrical contacts 41 and 42 on the lower surfaces of the flanges 43 and 44. Loudspeaker unit 2
No. 0 can be installed on a power distribution truck as described above in LYTESPAN.
This is similar to mounting track luminaires on power distribution trucks in many known track lights such as. At a desired position along the length of the power distribution track 30, the flange portion of the connector 40 of the loudspeaker unit 20 is inserted into the open passage 36. Then, the connector 40 is rotated in a plane parallel to the lower surface 37 of the distribution track 30 to physically engage the connector 40 and the distribution track 30 with each other. Then, the electrical contacts 41 and 4
2 is physically and electrically connected to the electric conductors 31 and 32. Power to the internal circuitry of the loudspeaker unit 20 is supplied via electrical connections between the electrical contacts 41,42 and the electrical conductors 31,32. Once the connector 40 is firmly engaged to the power distribution track 30, the loudspeaker unit 20 is secured in its position by the power distribution track 30. The connector 40 may be variously modified as long as it can be mechanically attached to the power distribution truck 30. Examples thereof are described in US Pat. Nos. 3,894,781 and 2,977,566.

The arrangement and shape of the electric conductors 31 and 32 are not limited to those shown in FIG. These electrical conductors can be placed at various locations on the distribution truck, and are not limited to placement on either side of the central passage of the distribution truck. These electrical conductors may also take other shapes including, for example, electrical wires, electrical contacts or conductive strips. In addition, the electric conductor 31
And 32 need not extend from one end of the distribution track to the other end to include all points in between. These electrical conductors may be located, for example, only at specific points along the distribution track, rather than at all points between the ends of the distribution track.

Reference numeral 22 in FIG. 2 is a radio signal sensor, and 28 is a loudspeaker. Connections of these electric elements are shown in FIG. The loudspeaker unit 20 includes a wireless signal sensor 22, a conversion processing circuit 24, an audio amplifier 26 and a loudspeaker 28. The wireless signal sensor 22 is a sensor that responds to infrared or radio frequency signals. The wireless sensor 22 may also include a circuit that detects audio signal information from the AC power line. Electric power for operating the internal circuits of the loudspeaker unit 20 is supplied via the connection between the electric conductors 31, 32 of the distribution truck 30 and the electric contacts 41, 42 of the connector 40. As shown, the loudspeaker unit 20 includes an AC / DC conversion circuit 27 for converting standard alternating current or AC power to a direct current or DC power source to power its internal circuitry. Wireless signal sensor 2
2 receives a wireless signal from the wireless transmitter (radiator) 13. These radio signals are converted back into electric signals by the conversion processing circuit 24. The output of the conversion processing circuit 24 is provided to an audio amplifier 26, where it is amplified to a level sufficient for the loudspeaker 28 to produce an audible output at the desired audible sound pressure level.

The distribution truck 30 described above is not limited to the long straight line shape, but may be, for example, a curved shape. The electrical conductors 31 and 32 may also be wires, strips or contact terminals, for example. These electrical conductors may be arranged in various ways on the distribution track, for example with both conductors side by side on one side of the central passage. Furthermore, if the body of the distribution track is made of a conductive material, it can be used as an electrical conductor. The power distribution track 30 can also be modified to include multiple sets of electrical conductors to distribute power to multiple separate circuits. Furthermore, it is also possible to make the distribution track in electrical contact with the electrical conductors 31, 32 at only one point. It is also possible for the distribution truck structure to have one or more passages in places other than the center. Alternatively, the distribution truck 30 may be designed so that it contains no passageways.

A wireless loudspeaker system according to the present invention comprises:
It also includes those that carry audio signals through optical fibers, digital signals, infrared or radio frequency electromagnetic waves, and standard household AC wiring. In addition, the audio signal information is also transmitted by modulating an alternating current voltage of, for example, a household AC power source.

Although a high-fidelity loudspeaker device has been described as the main application of the present invention, the present invention
It can be used in a variety of other devices, including commercial or industrial loudspeakers or intercom systems. Loudspeaker unit 20
May be modified to include devices such as, for example, radio or television tuners, video displays, video cameras, still cameras, magnetic tape players or recorders, optical or magneto-optical disc players or recorders. Further, the internal circuit of the loudspeaker unit 20 may be modified so that the gain of the audio amplifier can be remotely controlled by wire or wirelessly. Alternatively, the loudspeaker
The operation of the radio or television tuner, video display, magnetic tape player or recorder, optical or magneto-optical disc player or recorder included in the unit 20 may be controlled by a wired or wireless remote control means. Further, power to the circuits of these various devices may be supplied via the wiring track 30.

[0022]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION (1) The messy power cord required by the conventional wireless loudspeaker apparatus is not required. (2) The battery used as a power source for the internal circuit of the conventional wireless loudspeaker device is not required. (3) The wireless loudspeaker can be attached and fixed at a desired operation position where a desired sound can be heard in the listening area.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a usage state of a device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a connection diagram showing an example of an internal circuit of the device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 loudspeaker device 20 loudspeaker unit 22 sensor (reception means) 24 second conversion means 26 audio signal amplification means (second audio amplifier) 28 loudspeaker 30 power distribution truck 31, 32 electrical conductor 40 connector 41, 42 electrical contact 43 , 44 Flange 11 First audio amplifier 12 First conversion means 13 Transmission means

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location H04H 5/00 302 8732-5K H04R 1/00 310 A

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A housing, a loudspeaker mounted to the housing, an audio signal amplifying means electrically connected to the loudspeaker and housed in the housing, and a power distribution track and a mechanical unit mounted to the housing. A mechanical engaging means for engaging with the power distribution track, an electrical engaging means for electrically engaging with the power distribution track, and a receiving means electrically connected to the amplifying means for receiving a radio signal. Loudspeaker device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said distribution truck includes means for distributing power. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said amplification means is powered via said distribution truck. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal comprises an infrared signal. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal comprises a radio frequency signal. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal comprises a modulated AC power signal. 7. The wireless signal represents voice information.
Equipment. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a video display. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a radio tuner. 10. The housing further comprises a television
The apparatus of claim 1 having a tuner. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an optical disk recorder or player. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said amplifying means further comprises a circuit for converting an alternating current received from said power distribution truck into a direct current. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distribution track is elongated and includes electrical conductors for distribution. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power distribution track has a curvilinear shape and includes electrical conductors for power distribution. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal represents control information. 16. An internal amplification type loudspeaker housing including a loudspeaker, an audio signal amplifying means and a radio signal receiving means electrically connected to the amplification means, and the internal amplification type loudspeaker in a distribution truck having a power distribution means. A loudspeaker comprising mounting means for mounting the housing and electrical contacts connected to the internal amplification loudspeaker housing for electrical engagement with the distribution track and for supplying operating power to the amplification means. Speaker device. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wireless signal comprises an infrared signal representative of audio information. 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wireless signal comprises a radio frequency signal representative of audio information. 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wireless signal comprises a signal representative of audio information modulated on an AC power source. 20. A first audio amplifier for amplifying and outputting an audio signal according to an original input; and a first conversion electrically connected to an output of the first audio amplifier for converting the audio signal into a radio signal. Means, a transmitting means connected to the first converting means for transmitting the wireless signal, a loudspeaker housing having means for receiving the wireless signal, and converting the wireless signal received by the receiving means into an audio signal. Second conversion means for storing the second conversion means, and the second conversion means accommodated in the loudspeaker housing.
A second audio amplifier electrically connected to the conversion means for amplifying and outputting an audio signal; and a second audio amplifier housed in the loudspeaker housing.
A loudspeaker that outputs an audible signal according to the output of the audio amplifier, a distribution truck having means for distributing power, and a loudspeaker housing coupled to the physical distribution of the loudspeaker housing to the distribution truck. A loudspeaker device comprising mechanical engagement means and electrical contacts connected to the loudspeaker housing for electrically powering the second audio amplifier to electrically engage the power distribution track. 21. A loudspeaker having amplifying means for amplifying an audio signal, mechanical engaging means for mechanically engaging a power distribution track connected to the loudspeaker and having means for distributing power, said amplifying means A loudspeaker arrangement comprising electrical engagement means for electrically engaging a distribution truck having means for distributing power connected to said loudspeaker for supplying power to said means.